Stephen Voorwinde - Böcker

This book seeks to discuss John's references to Jesus' emotions in the light of the current debate regarding Johannine Christology. The Fourth Gospel refers to Jesus' love, joy, and zeal. At times it also portrays him as troubled, deeply moved, and in tears. Do these expressions of emotion underscore Jesus' humanity or his divinity? The study is set against the background of the emotions of God as found in earlier Jewish literature, as well as against that of the emotions of Jesus in the Synoptics and the remainder of the New Testament. Voorwinde argues that the covenant provides the most consistent perspective for viewing both the emotions of Yahweh in the Old Testament and the emotions of Jesus in the Gospels. The Johannine Jesus is found to fulfil the hitherto incompatible roles of covenant Lord and covenant sacrifice. Rather than being expressive only of his humanity Jesus' emotions are also found to underscore his divinity. This is due to the unique genius of this Gospel with its paradoxical presentation of Jesus whose divinity is manifested most eloquently in his weakness, suffering, and death.Only his tears at the grave of Lazarus can be explained as a human emotion pure and simple. All the other emotions, because of their strong connections to the cross, highlight both Jesus' humanity and divinity, albeit for various reasons and in highly nuanced ways. JSNTS 284

This title examines the emotions of Jesus presented by in the gospels, and shows how this may be applied in studying these texts. "Jesus' Emotions in the Gospels" investigates richness and variety of the emotional life of Jesus as depicted in the four gospels. Attention is often paid to the events of Jesus' life, his teaching, and his ministry - but rarely is Jesus' emotional life considered. Stephen Voorwinde presents all sixty references to the emotions of Jesus as they appear in the gospels, enabling readers to think deeply about how they can relate to the different aspect of Jesus which each evangelist presents. Readers are introduced to the 'compassionate king' of "Matthew's" gospel, and to the 'man of sorrows' in "Mark's" gospel. The Jesus of "Luke's" gospel is seen as a 'sympathetic son' and finally the Jesus presented by John as 'loving Lord'. Voorwinde builds a careful picture of Jesus within the theological framework of each evangelist, considering the Historical Jesus debate, the synoptic problem, and the individual literary characteristics of each evangelist.The emotional challenges posed throughout the New Testament gain new significance when considered side-by-side with the emotional character of Jesus.